Juan Soto, the New York Yankees slugger, is eager to settle down and stay put after years of bouncing between teams.
Tired of the constant team changes, Soto expressed his desire to remain with one franchise for the rest of his MLB career during the All-Star game media day, as reported by ESPN and the New York Post.
“It’s a little uncomfortable wearing different jerseys and changing teams,” Soto remarked. “I’m looking forward to wearing one for a long time.”
This is cautiously optimistic news for Yankees fans, who are hopeful that the team will secure Soto with a long-term contract. Over the past five seasons, Soto has played for the San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, and now the Yankees.
Juan Soto is having an outstanding season with the Yankees. His performance has been a key factor in reigniting the Yankees’ offense after a lackluster 2023 campaign.
Alongside Aaron Judge, Soto has helped the team score the most runs in baseball this season. Soto is boasting a .295 batting average, has hit 23 home runs, and driven in 66 runs.
This year marks Soto’s fourth consecutive All-Star game appearance, a testament to his talent and consistency. Remarkably, he has qualified for the All-Star game with three different teams: the Nationals, Padres, and Yankees.
Soto is one of the most celebrated hitters in the game, having won four straight Silver Slugger Awards from 2020 to 2023 and being named the National League batting champion in 2020. Additionally, he claimed the Babe Ruth Award in 2019, the same year he won a World Series with the Nationals.
Despite a strong start to the season, injuries have hampered Soto recently. He has been dealing with hand issues that kept him in and out of the lineup throughout June.
Nevertheless, Soto managed to hit well leading up to the All-Star break, recording four consecutive multi-hit games before a July 14 matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Yankees’ ability to re-sign Soto remains uncertain, as his current contract only covers this season, following his acquisition from the Padres last offseason.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has expressed a desire to keep Soto for the remainder of his career. “Who wouldn’t want to be with a team that wins?” Soto added. “For me, while you’re on a winning team, it’s always good to be there and be a part of it.”
The Yankees are in a strong position to make a postseason run after missing the American League Playoffs in 2023.
Currently holding a 58-40 record, the team faced some challenges in the past month, including a tough loss to the Orioles on July 14, which dropped them to second place in the American League East.
As the All-Star game approaches, scheduled for Tuesday with an 8:00 Eastern first pitch, Yankees fans will undoubtedly be cheering for Soto as he represents the American League in their quest for victory.
